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1959 Iraqi M-72 Solo Project.


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Well, it's finally here! It's still locked up in our transport container that was just delivered to the motorpool today. I'll probably pick it up tomorrow before I attend the mandatory MSF refresher course.

 

I spoke to the main Customs guy in Austin a few days ago. He said there was no problem and would be happy to do up all the import forms for me!

 

I have most of the parts onhand (or in route) to restore the beast except a generator and ignition system. Gonna use a 650cc Ural motor, so it'll actually look more like Ural M-61 than an M-72 and maybe be a little less hassle.

 

The main thing that's slowing me down is figuring out what to paint it. I'll probably use rattle cans. My biggest concern on a solo is that I want to use some highly visible colors like orange or yellow (folks around here drive like maniacs!) but I like camo, too. Torn between making it a civilian bike and a light tan desert camo. Any ideas?

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I don't think a bright color will be enough to ward off most of the moronic cage drivers we deal with. Your military traffic saftey vest will be more effective than the paint scheme IMO.

 

My choice would be to pick a vintage color and add some flattener to paint to get rid of or tone down the shine to give it that patina of age look. That or two part epoxy primer for a flat weather proof finish. But that's just me :unsure2: .

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The frame also is like the M61 one, if you had a bit different fork, it would really be an M61.

There are 2 soultions on hand if your 650 engine is 6V, cut the suport and buy a flange for it to put the 424 alt or leave it 6V.

In the Ukraine there are 6V generators and ignitions available, new or NOS.

Good luck with restoring!

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Thought really hard about powder coating, but I'm cheap! Plus, I kinda wanna be the onle who does 100% of the restoration on it.

Considered P/C on the frame at least, so I don't screw up the paint installing the engine. Some of the other parts like fenders and tank will have body filler and JB weld on them, so the P/C won't stick anyhow from what I understand.

 

I think the engine is a newer model Ural. It has bolt holes like a 12v generator (and oil filter) and not the strap on generator like the first OHV's.

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Thought really hard about powder coating, but I'm cheap! Plus, I kinda wanna be the onle who does 100% of the restoration on it.

Considered P/C on the frame at least, so I don't screw up the paint installing the engine. Some of the other parts like fenders and tank will have body filler and JB weld on them, so the P/C won't stick anyhow from what I understand.

 

I think the engine is a newer model Ural. It has bolt holes like a 12v generator (and oil filter) and not the strap on generator like the first OHV's.

 

It looks like you don't have much to start with in the pictures. Since you say your "cheap", I wonder how much if any you will save over buying a complete bike here Stateside?? Maybe you have a good source of used parts that are priced right (cheap)!

 

Mart

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I still haven't quite reached the $2,000 mark yet and I have just about everything I need except for an alternator and an ignition system (and a paint job!). A CJ-750 solo would've been cheaper probably. (Believe me, there were several times when I was getting grief from the command that I considered just dragging it back out to the junkyard and buying a new CJ!)Shipping and postage charges have constituted about 30% of the total costs. I still have heavy stuff like a set of front forks and a final drive that are paid for but the shipping has not yet been determined.

 

But then again, I reckon it's the principle of the thing. Not too many folks have a war trophy motorcycle!

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It's your project --don't be discouraged by the" nay" sayers

 

It's also a practical thing. Most folks with new bikes don't realize how often parts and things have to come off and go on the old bikes. When that happens, usually there's a BFH and some paint scratching involved. Therefore, paint (as well as other things) readily available on Home Depot shelves is sometimes the way to go.

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  • 2 months later...

I've had no problem powder-coating over body filler.

Thought really hard about powder coating, but I'm cheap! Plus, I kinda wanna be the onle who does 100% of the restoration on it.

Considered P/C on the frame at least, so I don't screw up the paint installing the engine. Some of the other parts like fenders and tank will have body filler and JB weld on them, so the P/C won't stick anyhow from what I understand.

 

I think the engine is a newer model Ural. It has bolt holes like a 12v generator (and oil filter) and not the strap on generator like the first OHV's.

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